In-frame mounted bicycle monitoring device

ABSTRACT

An electronic device can be mounted at least partly in a frame of a bicycle and used to monitor operations or properties of the bicycle or one or more components associated with the bicycle. The electronic device may integrate and communicate with a variety of components including sensors to facilitate customization of monitoring by the electronic device. The electronic device can have a relatively minimalist design. The electronic device, in some embodiments, may include a display that does not present alphanumeric characters to an operator, and the display may instead include multiple indicators that individually or in combination present information to the operator, such as the level of charge of one or more batteries or an operating mode of the electronic device or bicycle.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/670,872, filed Oct. 31, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,933,936, entitled“IN-FRAME MOUNTED BICYCLE MONITORING DEVICE,” which is a divisional ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/022,507, filed Jun. 28, 2018, nowU.S. Pat. No. 10,472,015, entitled “IN-FRAME MOUNTED BICYCLE MONITORINGDEVICE;” the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology relates to bicycles and, in particular, bicyclemonitoring technology.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED TECHNOLOGY

Electric bicycles generally include human machine interfaces forinteracting with the electric bicycles. The human machine interfaces canenable operators to monitor the electric bicycles.

SUMMARY

The systems, methods and devices described herein have innovativeaspects, no single one of which is indispensable or solely responsiblefor their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of theclaims, some of the advantageous features will now be summarized.

In some embodiments, an electronic device is disclosed for monitoringoperations or properties of a bicycle or a component attached to thebicycle. The electronic device can include: a housing configured tomount to a top tube of a bicycle so that a portion of the housing iswithin the top tube when the housing is mounted to the bicycle; no morethan two user input elements configured to receive user inputs; awireless interface supported by the housing and configured wirelesslycommunicate with other devices; a connector supported by the housing andconfigured to receive data indicative of operations or properties of thebicycle or a component attached to the bicycle; a processor positionedin the housing where the processor is configured to monitor theoperations or the properties to determine status information and storeat least some of the data to a memory device; and a display supported bythe housing and configured to present the status information withoutusing alphanumeric characters. The display may, for instance, notinclude a liquid-crystal display.

The electronic device of the preceding paragraph can include one or moreof the following features: The display can include multiple lightemitting diodes to present the status information. The no more than twouser input elements can be two buttons, and the user inputs can includeactivation inputs, deactivation inputs, and settings adjustment inputs.The user inputs can include a reset input configured to reset systemparameters, the reset input being received responsive to selection of atleast one of the no more than two user input elements for a period oftime during startup of the processor. The operations or the propertiescan include a speed, a cadence, a location, and a mode of the bicycle.The processor can output at least some of the data to another device viathe wireless interface. The processor can communicate via a controllerarea network to monitor the operations or the properties. The processorcan communicate with a remote control device via the connector. Theelectronic device can further include the remote control device, theremote control device including a switch configured to connect a datawire to ground when the switch is pressed; the remote control device notincluding any transistors. The housing may include no more than one holethat is configured to receive a fastener to secure the housing to thetop tube. The portion can include a port configured to permit diagnosingor servicing of errors, and the housing can include a cover configuredto selectively cover the port. The electronic device can furthercomprise the bicycle, the housing being configured to mount to the toptube so that any electrical connections supported by the housing areprotected in the top tube from splashes of water external to the bicyclewhen the housing is mounted to the bicycle. Responsive to the bicycleturning on, the processor can automatically store at least some of thedata to the memory device. The processor may not automatically store atleast some of the data to the memory device until instructed by a userto automatically store at least some of the data to the memory device.The connector can receive power from the bicycle or the component.

In some embodiments, an electronic device is disclosed for monitoringlevels of charge of a plurality of batteries associated with a bicycle.The electronic device can include: a housing configured to mount to atop tube of a bicycle so that a portion of the housing is within the toptube when the housing is mounted to the bicycle; a connector supportedby the housing and configured to receive data indicative of a firstlevel of charge of a first battery and a second level of charge of asecond battery, the first battery and the second battery beingassociated with the bicycle; a processor positioned in the housing andconfigured to monitor the first level of charge and the second level ofcharge over time; and a display supported by the housing. The displaycan simultaneously present the first level of charge and the secondlevel of charge over time such that: the first level of charge isoverlaid on the second level of charge when the first level of charge isgreater than the second level of charge, and the second level of chargeis overlaid on the first level of charge when the first level of chargeis less than the second level of charge.

The electronic device of the preceding paragraph can include one or moreof the following features: Responsive to a user input, the display canpresent the first level of charge and the second level of charge for aperiod of time and then hide the first level of charge and the secondlevel of charge upon expiration of the period time. The display canpresent the first level of charge and the second level of charge as asingle combined indicator when the first level of charge is below afirst threshold and the second level of charge is below a secondthreshold. The display can include multiple light emitting diodesconfigured to illuminate to present the first level of charge and thesecond level of charge. The first level of charge can be indicated by afirst set of the multiple light emitting diodes having a first hue, andthe second level of charge is indicated by a second set of the multiplelight emitting diodes having a second hue different from the first hue.The first level of charge can be presented on a scale different from thesecond level of charge. The first battery and the second battery can besupported by the bicycle and power the bicycle or one or more componentssupported by the bicycle.

In some embodiments, an electronic device is disclosed for monitoringoperations or properties of a bicycle or a component attached to thebicycle. The electronic device can include: a housing configured tomount to a top tube of a bicycle so that a portion of the housing iswithin the top tube when the housing is mounted to the bicycle, theportion including a hole configured to receive a fastener to secure thehousing to the top tube; a connector supported by the housing andconfigured to receive data indicative of operations or properties of thebicycle or a component attached to the bicycle; a processor positionedin the housing and configured to monitor the operations or properties todetermine status information for presentation; and a display supportedby the housing and configured to present the status information.

The electronic device of the preceding paragraph can include one or moreof the following features: The housing may include no holes configuredto receive fasteners to secure the housing to the top tube other thanthe hole. The portion can include a spring configured to press againstan inner surface of the top tube to secure the housing to the top tube.The spring can be positioned on a first end of the portion, and the holecan be positioned on a second end of the portion. The first end can beopposite the second end. The housing can include a lip around aperimeter of the housing, the lip being configured to cover a gapbetween the housing and the top tube when the housing is mounted to thebicycle. The lip can include rubber. Any electrical connectionssupported by the housing can be positioned in the top tube when thehousing is mounted to the bicycle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned aspects, as well as other features, aspects, andadvantages of the present technology will now be described in connectionwith various embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings.The illustrated embodiments, however, are merely examples and are notintended to be limiting Like reference numbers and designations in thevarious drawings indicate like elements.

FIG. 1A illustrates a side view of a bicycle with an example in-tubemounted electronic device.

FIG. 1B illustrates a seat perspective view of the bicycle with thein-tube mounted electronic device of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A illustrates a top perspective view of the in-tube mountedelectronic device of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2B illustrates a bottom perspective view of the in-tube mountedelectronic device of FIG. 1A.

FIGS. 2C and 2D illustrate side perspective views of the in-tube mountedelectronic device of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 3A illustrates an example environment in which the in-tube mountedelectronic device of FIG. 1A can communicate with other devices.

FIG. 3B illustrates an example components of the in-tube mountedelectronic device of FIG. 1A.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate perspective views of an example remotecontrol device that may communicate with the in-tube mounted electronicdevice of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 5 illustrates a configuration for connecting one or more lights tothe in-tube mounted electronic device of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 6 illustrates example battery status displays by the in-tubemounted electronic device of FIG. 1A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part of the present disclosure. Theillustrative embodiments described in the detailed description,drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments maybe utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from thespirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readilyunderstood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generallydescribed herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged,substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of differentconfigurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and form partof this disclosure. For example, a system or device may be implementedor a method may be practiced using any number of the aspects set forthherein. In addition, such a system or device may be implemented or sucha method may be practiced using other structure, functionality, orstructure and functionality in addition to or other than one or more ofthe aspects set forth herein. Alterations and further modifications ofthe inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applicationsof the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which wouldoccur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of thisdisclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.

Descriptions of unnecessary parts or elements may be omitted for clarityand conciseness, and like reference numerals refer to like elementsthroughout. In the drawings, the size and thickness of layers andregions may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience.

Features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent fromthe following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings. It will be understood these drawings depictonly certain embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and,therefore, are not to be considered limiting of its scope; thedisclosure will be described with additional specificity and detailthrough use of the accompanying drawings. An apparatus, system or methodaccording to some of the described embodiments can have several aspects,no single one of which necessarily is solely responsible for thedesirable attributes of the apparatus, system or method. Afterconsidering this discussion, and particularly after reading the sectionentitled “Detailed Description” one will understand how illustratedfeatures serve to explain certain principles of the present disclosure.

INTRODUCTION

This application is directed at least in part to embodiments of anelectronic device (sometimes referred to as a human machine interface)that is mounted in and to a frame of a bicycle, such as an electricbicycle, and used to monitor operations or properties of the bicycle orone or more components associated with the bicycle. The electronicdevice can, for example, be mounted in a top tube of the bicycle andhave an aesthetically clean appearance. The electronic device may beable to integrate and communicate with a variety of components includingsensors to facilitate customization of monitoring by the electronicdevice. The electronic device moreover can be relatively inexpensive,and any connectors of electronic device can be designed to be protectedagainst environmental conditions, such as water, when the electronicdevice are mounted to the bicycle.

The electronic device can desirably have a relatively minimalist design.The electronic device, in some embodiments, may include a display thatdoes not present alphanumeric characters to an operator. The display caninclude multiple indicators that individually or in combination presentinformation to the operator, such as the level of charge of one or morebatteries or an operating mode of the electronic device or bicycle. Themultiple indicators can, for example, include multiple light emittingdiodes (LEDs). In some implementations, the display may not include aliquid-crystal display (LCD) like a thin-film-transistor (TFT) LCD. Theelectronic device can include one or two user input elements, such asbuttons, for the operator to directly provide user inputs (for instance,an on/off input to activate or deactivate the bicycle or a mode changeinput for adjusting a mode of the electronic device or bicycle) to theelectronic device. In some implementations, the electronic device maynot include more than two user input elements for the operator todirectly provide user inputs to the electronic device.

The electronic device can, in certain embodiments, include one connectorfor receiving data and power from the bicycle or one or more componentsassociated with the bicycle. The electronic device can additionallyinclude another connector for receiving inputs from a remote controldevice like a handle bar mounted control device. The remote controldevice can include one or more switches and may connect a data wire toground when a corresponding one of the switches is pressed. In someimplementations, the remote control device may not include anytransistors or intelligent components, such as a microprocessor. Theelectronic device can also include a diagnostic port for servicing ordiagnosing any issues with electronic device. The diagnostic port may behidden when the electronic device is mounted to the bicycle, and theelectronic device can include a cover, such as a rubber seal, over thediagnostic port to protect against water entering the diagnostic portwhen not in use. Further, the electronic device can include a wirelesscommunication interface for wirelessly communicating with other devicesand may transmit information such as speed, battery charge, or selectedmode using one or more protocols, like ANT+™ or Bluetooth™. Thediagnostic port or wireless interface communications can be used totune, diagnose, or update the electronic device, bicycle, or one or moreother components assisted with the bicycle, as well as collect andremotely store data gathered by the electronic device.

The electronic device can have a housing configured to be at leastpartly mounted in a top tube of a bicycle. The housing can be secured tothe top tube by bolting the housing to the top tube on one side of thehousing and securing another side of the housing with the spring frominside the top tube. This design desirably, in certain embodiments, canfacilitate quick and easy drop in and mounting of the housing to the toptube with the use of no more than one fastener, such as a bolt or screw,that passes through a hole in the housing. In addition, this designadvantageously, in certain embodiments, can allow for a large tolerancein top tube wall thickness and shape, as well as a length and width ofthe cutout for the electronic device in the top tube. The housing canfurther include a perimeter lip to cover a gap between the electronicdevice in the top tube. The lip can, for instance, be composed of rubberor plastic. The electronic device can moreover be designed so that anyconnectors or cables extending from the electronic device are positionedwithin the top tube when the electronic devices mounted to the top tube.

The electronic device can be set to a mode in which the display presentsfor a period of time (such as a 2, 3, 5, or 10 seconds) certaininformation in response to a user input, but otherwise does not presentthe certain information. This mode can be termed a dark mode and may beset according to instructions received from another device, such asinstructions provided by an application running on a smart phone.

The electronic device can include a display that presents a state ofcharge of one or more batteries in percentage increments (such as 5%,10%, or 20% increments). Each percentage increment can be denoted by aseparate indicator, and activation of one or more indicators can denotea state of charge that at least meets a threshold level corresponding tothe activated indicators. The display can further simultaneously presentthe state of charge of two batteries. The state of charge of one of thetwo batteries can be presented in a different color from the state ofcharge of the other of the two batteries. In addition, the state ofcharge of one of the two batteries can be overlaid on the other of thetwo batteries such that the battery having the lower state of charge isshown on top. When the state of charge of both of the two batteries maybe below a threshold level, a single combined indicator can be used torepresent a dual low battery condition.

The electronic device can continuously monitor the bicycle and one ormore components associated with the bicycle when the bicycle is inoperation. If any errors occur during operation, the electronic devicecan store a snapshot associated with the error so that the snapshot canbe later used for analysis or troubleshooting. The electronic device canalso record in log files gathered bike-related data, such as speed,cadence, location, selected mode, or motor temperature. The log filescan then be used to analyze rides or provide the bike-related data toplatforms, such as social platforms like STRAVA™. In someimplementations, the record function can be switched off by default andmay be activated by an operator before being initiated. Advantageously,in certain embodiments, one or more of these features of the electronicdevice can obviate the need for bringing a smart phone when riding thebicycle because the electronic device can automatically and easilyhandle gathering of data about rides.

The electronic device can be reset in some instances without utilizing aseparate tool, such as an application, diagnostic, or othercommunication with another device. The electronic device can, forexample, be reset by an operator holding one of the user input elementsfor a period of time (for example, 2, 3, 5, or 10 seconds) duringstartup of the electronic device. The reset can desirably reset systemparameters, such as those parameters that may be adjusted by anoperator, and may be useful in instances like transferring of theelectronic device or bicycle to another operator.

The electronic device can also facilitate the addition of one or morelights to the bicycle. An in-line Y splitter can be connected to aconnector of the electronic device, which may route one or more voltageand ground lines for the one or more lights.

Bicycle System with In-Tube Mounted Electronic Device

FIG. 1A illustrates a side view of a bicycle 100, such as an electricbicycle. The bicycle 100 can include a seat 105 and a frame 110. Theseat 105 can be supported by a seat tube 115. An electronic device 112can be mounted to the frame 110 and positioned at least partly in a toptube of the frame 110 that extends between the seat tube 115 and handlebar mount. The bicycle 100 also can include a rear axle 120 of a rearwheel assembly 125. A motor can be positioned proximate the rear wheelassembly 125 for imparting motion to the bicycle 100, and one or moresensors can be positioned proximate the rear wheel assembly 125 or thefront wheel assembly for monitoring operations or properties of thebicycle 100. A remote control device 130 can be attached to handle barsof the bicycle 100 and used to control the electronic device 112.

FIG. 1B illustrates a view of the bicycle 100 of FIG. 1A from theperspective of a rider sitting in the seat 105 and viewing the handlebars and the electronic device 112 mounted to the top tube.

FIG. 2A illustrates a top perspective view of the electronic device 112of FIG. 1A. The electronic device 112 includes a housing that has anupper portion 201 and a lower portion 202. When the electronic device112 is mounted to the bicycle, the lower portion 202 can be positionedwithin the frame 110 and the upper portion 201 can be positioned abovethe frame 110 and visible when viewing an outer surface of the bicycle100. The upper portion 201 can include a downward sloping portion 203and an inwardly sloping portion 204. The upper portion 201 may include ahole 206 usable for securing the upper portion 201 to the frame 110 witha fastener like a bolt or screw.

The lower portion 202 can include a spring 208 configured to pressagainst an inner surface of the frame 110 to secure the electronicdevice 112 to the top tube. The spring 208 can, for example, be a platespring. The lower portion 202 can additionally include a connector 210.The connector 210 can be an analog connector and may include a firstcable 212 (such as a HIGO 6-pole female cable) and a second cable 214(such as a HIGO 5-pole male cable) for receiving data or power from ortransmitting data or power to the bicycle 100 or one or more othercomponents associated with the bicycle.

The upper portion 201 can include a first user interface element 220 anda second user interface element 222. The first user interface element220 can, for example, be used to receive a user input to activate ordeactivate the bicycle 100, such as a motor of the bicycle 100 or one ormore components associated with the bicycle 100. The second userinterface element 222 can, for instance, be used to receive a user inputto switch modes for the bicycle 100 or one or more other componentsassociated with the bicycle 100.

The upper portion 201 can further include a first display area 230 and asecond display area 232. The first display area 230 can be used todisplay a level of charge of one or more batteries associated with (forexample, supported by) the bicycle 100, such as is described in greaterdetail with respect to FIG. 6 . The second display area 232 can be usedto indicate whether the electronic device 112 or the bicycle 100 isactivated or to identify a mode of operation for the electronic device112 or the bicycle 100.

FIG. 2B illustrates a bottom perspective view of the electronic device112 of FIG. 1A. The lower portion 202 can include a speaker 240, such asa beeper, for outputting information audibly to an operator.

FIGS. 2C and 2D illustrate side perspective views of the electronicdevice 112 of FIG. 1A. As can be seen from FIG. 2C, the spring 208 caninclude a point 209 that is configured to contact and apply forceagainst the inner surface of the frame 110 to secure the electronicdevice 112 to the frame 110. The electronic device 112 can include adiagnostic port positioned behind a cover 250 as shown in FIGS. 2C and2D. The diagnostic port can be used to service and perform diagnosticson electronic device 112, the bicycle 100, or one or more componentsassociated with the bicycle 100. In one implementation, the diagnosticport can be a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port.

FIG. 3A illustrates an environment 300 in which the electronic device112 of FIG. 1A may communicate with other devices. As shown, theelectronic device 112 can communicate via a medium, such as a ControllerArea Network (CAN bus) or other channel, with a torque sensor 310, amotor controller 312, one or more batteries 314, and one or moreadditional components 316. The electronic device 112 can additionallycommunicate via wired or wireless communications with the remote controldevice 130, a personal computer 320, a smart phone 322, and a display324.

The electronic device 112 can receive a torque signal from the torquesensor 310 that is indicative of a torque at the rear axle 120 oranother part of the bicycle 100. The electronic device 112 maycommunicate with the motor controller 312 so that the electronic device112 can monitor operations or properties of the motor controller 312 orprovide control commands to adjust operations by the motor controller312. The electronic device 112 can receive one or more batteries signalsfrom the one or more batteries 314 that is indicative of a level ofcharge of the one or more batteries 314. For instance, the one or morebatteries 314 can include two batteries, and the electronic device canreceive one battery signal from each of the two batteries to determinethe level of charge of the individual batteries.

FIG. 3B illustrates an example components of the electronic device 112of FIG. 1A. The electronic device 112 can include a processor 330, amemory device 332, a user interface 334, a communication interface 336,and a Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna 338. The processor 330 cancontrol operations of the electronic device 112 according to executableinstructions stored in the memory device 332. The processor 330 may alsostore gathered bike data to the memory device 332. The user interface334 can receive user inputs from an operator, such as via selection ofthe first user interface element 220 and the second user interfaceelement 222 by the operator. The communication interface 336 canfacilitate wired or wireless communications between the electronicdevice 112 and other devices. The GPS antenna 338 can provide a locationof the electronic device 112, such as geographical coordinatescorresponding to the location of the electronic device 112 over time.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate perspective views of the remote controldevice 130. The remote control device 130 can be attached to the handlebars of the bicycle 100 by positioning and securing the handle bars inthe hole 410. The remote control device 130 can include multiple remoteuser interface elements, including a first remote user interface element420, a second remote user interface element 422, and a third remote userinterface element 424 for receiving user inputs to control operations ofthe electronic device 112. The remote control device 130 can transmitcontrol signals to the electronic device 112 via a connector 430 of theremote control device 130. Each of the first remote user interfaceelement 420, the second remote user interface element 422, and the thirdremote user interface element 42 can, for instance, include a switchthat connects a different data wire to ground when the switch ispressed. In some implementations, the remote control device 130 may notinclude any transistors or intelligent components, such as amicroprocessor. As can be seen from the tear down of the remote controldevice 130 in FIG. 4B, the remote control device 130 can include a tophousing 440, rubber keys 442, internal plugs 444, flexible printedcircuits (FPCs) with clickers 446, a bottom housing 448, a seal plug450, a nut plate 452, a screw 454, a bushing 456, and a cable 458.

FIG. 5 illustrates a configuration 500 for connecting one or more lightsto the electronic device 112 of FIG. 1A. The first cable 212 can beconnected to a Y splitter 510. The ends 512 of the Y splitter 510 can beconnected to the one or more lights and provide voltage and ground wiresfor the one or more lights.

FIG. 6 illustrates battery status displays 600 by the electronic device112 of FIG. 1A. The battery status displays 600 in particular can bepresented in the first display area 230 shown in FIG. 2A.

The Battery 1 State of Charge Percentage (SOC %) row and the Battery 2SOC % row indicate the state of charge (sometimes referred to as a levelof charge) of battery 1 and battery 2 over times 1-9 as numericalpercentages. For example, at times 3, 7, and 9, battery 1 canrespectively have a state of charge of 100%, 20%, and 7%, and at times3, 7, and 9, battery 2 can respectively have a state of charge of 100%,100%, and 5%.

The 1-10 rows indicate the state of charge of the two batteries in theform of activated, colored indicators (such as LEDs) that correspond tothe numerical percentages listed in the corresponding time column.Notably, a presented scale for battery 1 may be different from thepresented scale for battery 2 (for instance, 100% state of charge forbattery 1 can be indicated by activating all 1-10 of the indicators soeach indicator represents an around 10% increase in charge while 100%state of charge for battery 2 can be indicated by activating all 1-5 ofthe bottom indicators so that each indicator represents an around 20%increase in charge). Moreover, the indicators for battery 1 can bepresented in a different color from the indicators for battery 2. In oneexample, at time 3, all 1-10 of the blue indicators can be activatedcorresponding to the 100% state of charge for battery 1, and all 1-5 ofthe green indicators can be activated corresponding to the 100% state ofcharge for battery 2. In another example, at time 7, 1 and 2 of the blueindicators can be activated corresponding to the 20% state of charge forbattery 1, and all 1-5 of the green indicators can be activatedcorresponding to the 100% state of charge for battery 2. In yet anotherexample, at time 9, a single combined red indicator can be presentedindicating that both batteries are below threshold levels, such as a 10%state of charge.

Accordingly, at time 1, the first display area 230 can appear as shownin box 602. At time 2, the first display area 230 can appear as shown inbox 604. At time 3, the first display area 230 can appear as shown inbox 606. At time 4, the first display area 230 can appear as shown inbox 608. At time 5, the first display area 230 can appear as shown inbox 610. At time 6, the first display area 230 can appear as shown inbox 612. At time 7, the first display area 230 can appear as shown inbox 614. At time 8, the first display area 230 can appear as shown inbox 616. At time 9, the first display area 230 can appear as shown inbox 618.

The first display area 230 can simultaneously present the state ofcharges of battery 1 and battery 2 so that the state of charge of one ofbattery 1 or battery 2 is overlaid on the state of charge of the otherof battery 1 or battery 2. The first display area 230 can moreoverpresent the state of charges of battery 1 and battery 2 such that thebattery having the lower state of charge is shown overlaid on top. Inother embodiments, the battery having the higher state of charge mayinstead by shown overlaid on top. Moreover, the state of charge of oneof battery 1 or battery 2 may be presented with a smaller width than thestate of charge of the other of battery 1 or battery 2 (for example, asillustrated where the state of charge of battery 1 has a smaller widththan the state of charge of battery 2).

OTHER EMBODIMENTS AND TERMINOLOGY

Various modifications to the implementations described in thisdisclosure may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and thegeneric principles defined herein may be applied to otherimplementations without departing from the spirit or scope of thisdisclosure. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to theimplementations shown herein, but are to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with this disclosure, the principles and the novel featuresdisclosed herein. Additionally, a person having ordinary skill in theart will readily appreciate, the terms “upper” and “lower” are sometimesused for ease of describing the figures, and indicate relative positionscorresponding to the orientation of the figure on a properly orientedpage, and may not reflect the proper orientation of the device asimplemented.

Certain features that are described in this specification in the contextof separate implementations also can be implemented in combination in asingle implementation. Conversely, various features that are describedin the context of a single implementation also can be implemented inmultiple implementations separately or in any suitable sub combination.Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certaincombinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more featuresfrom a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from thecombination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a sub combination.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and algorithm stepsdescribed in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can beimplemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinationsof both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware andsoftware, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, and stepshave been described above generally in terms of their functionality.Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or softwaredepends upon the particular application and design constraints imposedon the overall system. The described functionality can be implemented invarying ways for each particular application, but such implementationdecisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from thescope of the disclosure.

The various illustrative logical blocks and modules described inconnection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented orperformed by a machine, such as a general purpose processor, a digitalsignal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmablelogic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functionsdescribed herein. A general purpose processor can be a microprocessor,but in the alternative, the processor can be a controller,microcontroller, or state machine, combinations of the same, or thelike. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computingdevices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, aplurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunctionwith a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

The steps of a method, process, or algorithm described in connectionwith the embodiments disclosed herein can be embodied directly inhardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in acombination of the two. A software module can reside in RAM memory,flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, harddisk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of computer-readablestorage medium known in the art. An example storage medium can beconnected to the processor such that the processor can read informationfrom, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative,the storage medium can be integral to the processor. The processor andthe storage medium can reside in an ASIC. The ASIC can reside in a userterminal. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium canreside as discrete components in a user terminal.

Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “might,”“may,” “for example,” and the like, unless specifically statedotherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, isgenerally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, whileother embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/orstates. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended toimply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required forone or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarilyinclude logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting,whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to beperformed in any particular embodiment. The terms “comprising,”“including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are usedinclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additionalelements, features, acts, operations, and so forth. Also, the term “or”is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so thatwhen used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or”means one, some, or all of the elements in the list.

Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y and Z,”unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with thecontext as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may beeither X, Y or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generallyintended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, atleast one of Y and at least one of Z to each be present.

While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointedout novel features as applied to various embodiments, it will beunderstood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in theform and details of the devices or algorithms illustrated can be madewithout departing from the spirit of the disclosure. As will berecognized, certain embodiments described herein can be embodied withina form that does not provide all of the features and benefits set forthherein, as some features can be used or practiced separately fromothers. All changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device for monitoring operations orproperties of a bicycle or a component attached to the bicycle, theelectronic device comprising: a housing comprising a lower portion andan upper portion and configured to mount to a top tube of a bicycle sothat the lower portion is within the top tube and the upper portion isoutside the top tube when the housing is mounted to the top tube, thehousing having a distal end and a proximal end, the upper portioncomprising a hole at the distal end that is configured to receive afastener to secure the housing to the top tube, the lower portionsupporting a protruding element at the proximal end that extends fromthe lower portion toward an inner surface of the top tube and isconfigured to press against the inner surface of the top tube to securethe housing to the top tube; a connector supported by the housing andconfigured to receive data indicative of operations or properties of thebicycle or a component attached to the bicycle; a processor supported bythe housing and configured to monitor the operations or properties todetermine status information for presentation; and a display supportedby the housing and configured to present the status information.
 2. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein: the lower portion comprises asurface that faces away from the upper portion and defines a lowerplane, the upper portion comprises a surface that faces away from thelower portion and defines an upper plane, and the protruding elementextends from the lower portion (i) partly in a direction from the lowerplane toward the upper plane and (ii) partly in a direction from thedistal end to the proximal end.
 3. The electronic device of claim 2,wherein the connector is supported by the lower portion at the proximalend.
 4. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the upper portion isconfigured so that a head of the fastener is positioned outside ratherthan inside the top tube when the fastener is positioned in the hole andsecures the housing to the top tube.
 5. The electronic device of claim4, wherein the fastener comprises a screw.
 6. The electronic device ofclaim 4, wherein other than the hole in the upper portion, the housingcomprises no holes configured to receive any fasteners to secure thehousing to the top tube.
 7. The electronic device of claim 2, whereinthe display comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes configured topresent the status information.
 8. The electronic device of claim 7,wherein the housing supports a plurality of switches configured toreceive user inputs.
 9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein theuser inputs comprise activation inputs, deactivation inputs, andsettings adjustment inputs.
 10. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the connector is configured to receive power from the bicycle orthe component.
 11. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the housingcomprises a lip around a perimeter of the housing, the lip beingconfigured to cover a gap between the housing and the top tube when thehousing is mounted to the top tube.
 12. The electronic device of claim1, wherein the connector comprises a plurality of conductors.
 13. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the display does not comprise aliquid-crystal display.
 14. The electronic device of claim 1, whereinthe display comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes configured topresent the status information.
 15. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the housing supports a plurality of switches configured toreceive user inputs.
 16. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein theuser inputs comprise activation inputs, deactivation inputs, andsettings adjustment inputs.
 17. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the connector comprises a port configured to connect to aplurality of conductors.
 18. The electronic device of claim 1, whereinthe operations or properties comprise a speed and a mode of the bicycle.19. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the processor ispositioned in the housing.
 20. The electronic device of claim 1, whereinthe protruding element comprises a spring.